Interim Walsall boss Darren Byfield spoke of his frustration after on-loan Watford goalkeeper Myles Roberts was the victim of racial abuse during the Saddlers' 3-1 victory over Barrow on Saturday afternoon.The match was halted during the first-half after Roberts, who has made forty-four first-team appearances since arriving in WS1 on a season-long loan last summer, reported a comment to the match officials.
After consulting with both benches, referee Scott Oldham ultimately allowed play to resume, with the Saddlers going on to score via Albert Adomah and Mason Hancock, who scored his first goals in a Walsall shirt, on the way to a welcome win.
However, speaking to members of the media shortly after full-time, Byfield revealed that he was not made aware of the nature of the comment directed at 24-year-old Roberts, he said: "I’m disappointed with that because the referee came over and I asked him what had been said.
"He told me it was just a comment. I asked him if it was racial, and he said no. So now that looks like I’m not supporting Myles.
"These things affect our players, and it’s not a good look. These things need to be eradicated from the game.
"He has pointed people out. Action has to be taken, not just say: let’s get on with the game.
"Do you know what kind of affect it has on our players? Those things really annoy me and gets me angry because more has to be done.”
It was later confirmed that a Barrow supporter was subsequently escorted from the Bluebirds' SO Legal Stadium before officials issued a reminder to fans of the club’s zero-tolerance towards racism during half-time.
Neither Barrow nor Walsall have issued statements on the reported incident as we await further information.
Quotes: Express & Star.